press_button · React Native MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What press_button does on React Native

AI agents invoke press_button to trigger actions in React Native. What it does depends on the arguments the agent supplies, and its effects often reach beyond the immediate call — builds kicked off, notifications sent, workflows started.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why press_button needs a policy

This tool triggers physical/hardware button actions on a device (HOME, BACK, LOCK, VOLUME), which are external operations that cause state changes in the device UI and system. These actions are reversible in general but constitute execution of device-level interactions rather than simple data reads or writes. Misuse could disrupt app state, lock the device, or interfere with ongoing automation flows.

From the tool's definition Press hardware button (HOME, BACK, LOCK, VOLUME, etc.)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

press_button Rate-limited

press_button stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "press_button": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "press_button_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

RATE-LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches React Native, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about press_button

What does the press_button tool do? +

Press hardware button (HOME, BACK, LOCK, VOLUME, etc.). It is categorised as a Execute tool in the React Native MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on press_button? +

Register the React Native MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for press_button: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches React Native. Nothing to install.

What risk level is press_button? +

press_button is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit press_button? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the press_button rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block press_button completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for press_button. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides press_button? +

press_button is provided by the React Native MCP server (@ohah/react-native-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.